The dirty-blond crest on the top of Flash Gordon’s head quivered and his nose sniffed the salt air as he waddled out of his kennel at Otter Point Resort Trailer Park Wednesday.
Freedom beckoned for the juvenile California sea lion, who spent the last five weeks being treated at Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, and he wasted little time in hauling his 300-kg bulk down the concrete slipway into the water.
“It’s a bittersweet time. You have to fight back the tears a little, but it’s really good at the same time. This is what it’s all about,” said rescue centre manager Lindsaye Akhurst, as Flash dived under the water.
“This guy was in such poor condition and now to see him in the ocean is a great ending to a great story.”
Flash, believed to be between five and eight years old, was rescued off Ucluelet in August after residents noticed the emaciated animal with a foot-long fishing flasher hanging from his left cheek.
A team from Vancouver Aquarium, helped by Fisheries and Oceans enforcement officers, managed to dart the juvenile sea lion and transport him to Vancouver.
It is the first time the team has successfully rescued a California sea lion as it is usually too difficult to ensure the animal does not slip back into the water and drown after being drugged.
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Initially, Flash was given only a 50-50 chance of survival by aquarium veterinarian Marty Haulena, as the hook had to be removed from his esophagus at heart level.
“He was a really good patient,” Akhurst said.
“Within 24 hours, he started eating on his own and it was great to get the calories into him. He was eating 15 kilos of herring a day.”
Flash put on about 50 kg during his rehab time and is now sleek, with shiny fur and a good layer of blubber.
“He’s very handsome. He was a lot of fun to have around and we learned a lot about rehabilitating sea lions,” Akhurst said.
Now it’s back to finding his own food, but Akhurst, watching Flash’s head bobbing out of the water, does not think he will have any problem adjusting to independence.
Before his release, stretched out in the cage, Flash showed little sign that he was bothered by humans or the ferry trip, letting out only the occasional roar when boards around his were shuffled.
The roars delighted two-year-old Austin Whittingham as he peered into the pen.
“He’s talking to you. He said ‘hi,'” said mother, Darcie Whittingham, as Austin giggled.
Alberta resident Harry Davidson, who has been staying at Otter Point on a fishing holiday, was fascinated by the close-up view of a sea lion.
“I find it really interesting,” he said. “If they don’t take my salmon, I enjoy them so much.”
Dorothy Brown of Otter Point was delighted the story has a happy ending.
“It’s wonderful to know about the rescue work they do,” she said.
Half an hour after his release, Flash was still bobbing between rock outcroppings off Otter Point.
It is not known whether he will stay in the area, although the presence of other California sea lions shows it is a good feeding area, Akhurst said.
Flash did not return to say goodbye or thank you, but it was not expected, she said.
“Our thank you is seeing him alive.”
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